Research Article

Analysis Of the Relationship Between Screen Exposure and Aggressive Behaviors In 3–6-Year-Old Children

Volume: 8 Number: 16 December 30, 2025
TR EN

Analysis Of the Relationship Between Screen Exposure and Aggressive Behaviors In 3–6-Year-Old Children

Abstract

In recent years, the increasing prevalence of technology has affected children's screen use. This increase has raised serious concerns about the impact of screen time and content on children's behavior and development. Although the topic is becoming increasingly important, there is still a lack of research in Türkiye examining the link between screen time and aggressive behaviors in preschool children. This study examined the relationship between daily screen time, device type, and media content with aggressive behavior in children aged 3–6 years. The findings revealed a statistically significant but weak positive correlation between screen time and aggression (r = .19, p < .001), indicating that screen use may be a contributing factor rather than a primary determinant of aggressive behavior. No significant differences were observed in aggression levels based on the type of device used (F (2,460) = .569, p > .05). However, the content children consumed emerged as a critical factor. Children who were regularly exposed to entertainment-oriented content demonstrated higher aggression scores compared to those who watched educational programs for a similar duration. This study contributes to the limited body of research in Türkiye by providing empirical evidence on early childhood media use and aggressive behavior. These results highlight the importance of a dual approach that addresses both screen time and content quality. Interventions should therefore focus on helping parents and caregivers not only regulate screen time but also guide children toward age-appropriate and educational media to support healthier behavioral development. As the study is based on parent reports, results should be interpreted with caution.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Bahçeşehir University

Ethical Statement

This research was carried out in complete accordance with the ethical guidelines outlined in the Helsinki Declaration. Every procedure that involved human participants received formal approval from the Bahçeşehir University Committee for Scientific Research and Publication Ethics No: E-85646034-604.01-104414, Date: 30.04.2025

Thanks

The researchers which to extend their sincere appreciation towards the parents who willingly chose to participate and shared valuable information regarding their children's screen related practices and usage patterns. We would furthermore like to convey our thanks to the early childhood education institutions, nurseries, kindergartens, and social media communities that supported the data collection process.

References

  1. Akhmedova, S. R. (2025). The effects of stress and pressure on children's mental health. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14706309
  2. Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. (2002). Human aggression. Annual Review of Psychology, 53, 27. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.53.100901.135231
  3. Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. (2018). Media violence and the general aggression model. Journal of Social Issues, 74(2), 386–4. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12275
  4. Bandura, A., Ross, D., & Ross, S. A. (1961). Transmission of aggression through imitation of aggressive models. Journal of Abnormal & Social Psychology, 63(3), 575–582. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0045925
  5. Barker, M., & Petley, J. (2020). Algorithmic culture and children’s digital media use. Journal of Children and Media, 14(4), 457–472. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2020.1739942
  6. Bender, P. K., Plante, C., & Gentile, D. A. (2017). The effects of violent media content on aggression. Current Opinion in Psychology, 19, 104-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.04.003
  7. Bozkuş, O. (2021). Şiddet İçerikli Video Oyunları ve Saldırganlık İlişkisinin Gözden Geçirilmesi [A review of the relationship between violent video games and aggression]. Gelişim ve Psikoloji Dergisi, 2(3), 75–99. https://doi.org/10.51503/gpd.791346
  8. Carnagey, N. L., Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. (2007). The effect of video game violence on physiological desensitization to real-life violence. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 43(3), 489–496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2006.05.003

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Early Childhood Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 30, 2025

Submission Date

October 30, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 5, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 16

APA
Kolat, F. N., Tugen, S. A., Karakuş, S. N., & Saraç, S. (2025). Analysis Of the Relationship Between Screen Exposure and Aggressive Behaviors In 3–6-Year-Old Children. Journal of Child and Development, 8(16), 27-34. https://doi.org/10.36731/cg.1806406
AMA
1.Kolat FN, Tugen SA, Karakuş SN, Saraç S. Analysis Of the Relationship Between Screen Exposure and Aggressive Behaviors In 3–6-Year-Old Children. Journal of Child and Development. 2025;8(16):27-34. doi:10.36731/cg.1806406
Chicago
Kolat, Fatma Nazire, Selin Ayşe Tugen, Sema Nur Karakuş, and Seda Saraç. 2025. “Analysis Of the Relationship Between Screen Exposure and Aggressive Behaviors In 3–6-Year-Old Children”. Journal of Child and Development 8 (16): 27-34. https://doi.org/10.36731/cg.1806406.
EndNote
Kolat FN, Tugen SA, Karakuş SN, Saraç S (December 1, 2025) Analysis Of the Relationship Between Screen Exposure and Aggressive Behaviors In 3–6-Year-Old Children. Journal of Child and Development 8 16 27–34.
IEEE
[1]F. N. Kolat, S. A. Tugen, S. N. Karakuş, and S. Saraç, “Analysis Of the Relationship Between Screen Exposure and Aggressive Behaviors In 3–6-Year-Old Children”, Journal of Child and Development, vol. 8, no. 16, pp. 27–34, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.36731/cg.1806406.
ISNAD
Kolat, Fatma Nazire - Tugen, Selin Ayşe - Karakuş, Sema Nur - Saraç, Seda. “Analysis Of the Relationship Between Screen Exposure and Aggressive Behaviors In 3–6-Year-Old Children”. Journal of Child and Development 8/16 (December 1, 2025): 27-34. https://doi.org/10.36731/cg.1806406.
JAMA
1.Kolat FN, Tugen SA, Karakuş SN, Saraç S. Analysis Of the Relationship Between Screen Exposure and Aggressive Behaviors In 3–6-Year-Old Children. Journal of Child and Development. 2025;8:27–34.
MLA
Kolat, Fatma Nazire, et al. “Analysis Of the Relationship Between Screen Exposure and Aggressive Behaviors In 3–6-Year-Old Children”. Journal of Child and Development, vol. 8, no. 16, Dec. 2025, pp. 27-34, doi:10.36731/cg.1806406.
Vancouver
1.Fatma Nazire Kolat, Selin Ayşe Tugen, Sema Nur Karakuş, Seda Saraç. Analysis Of the Relationship Between Screen Exposure and Aggressive Behaviors In 3–6-Year-Old Children. Journal of Child and Development. 2025 Dec. 1;8(16):27-34. doi:10.36731/cg.1806406